10 Quick Facts about Zika Virus

Zika fever is caused by the Zika virus (ZIKV), an arthropod-borne virus
(arbovirus).

The Zika virus is a member of the Flavivirus genus in
the family Flaviviridae.

RNA virus

It is related to dengue, yellow fever, West Nile and Japanese
encephalitis, viruses that are also members of the virus family Flaviviridae.

Fact 2: Why the name ‘Zika’?

First identified in Uganda in
1947 in rhesus monkeys. It is named after the ‘Zika
forest’ in Uganda.

It was subsequently identified
in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania.

The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

Fact 3: About the vector

The vector is Aedes mosquitoes mainlyAedes aegypti

Fact 4: Symptoms

Fact 5: Diagnosis

Laboratory testing for the
presence of Zika virus RNA in the blood or other body fluids, such as urine or
saliva.

Fact 6: Treatment

No specific
treatment or vaccine currently available. Zika virus disease is usually
relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. If symptoms last for a
longer period, seek medical attention.

The best form
of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.

Fact
7: Why Zika is considered dangerous?

Potential complications: Two major diseases seem to be associated with Zika
disease. They are

a) Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s own immune
system damages their nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes even paralysis.

b) Microcephalyis a medical condition in which the
brain does not develop properly resulting in a smaller than normal head.Recent report from Brazil suggests increased incidents of babies
born with microcephaly from infected mother.

Fact 8: Mode of Transmission

Primarily through the bite of an
infectedAedes species
mosquito (A. aegypti andA.
albopictus)

Mother
to child: A mother already infected with Zika virus near the time of delivery
can pass on the virus to her newborn around the time of birth.

Zika
virus can be spread by a man to his sex partners.

The
virus can survive in semen longer than in blood.

Fact
9: “Still largely unknown”

The mechanism of viral infection yet to be
discovered.

Fact
10: Global incidence of Zika?

Many scientists suggest global warming as a
reason for transmission of virus to low temperature countries. Rise in
temperature favors the survival of mosquitoes, the vector of Zika virus.